Documents indicate that police drones led cops directly to a guy suspected of peddling cocaine and marijuana after directing them to the suspect’s location.
In recent years, the Indianapolis Metro Police Department’s drone program has progressively expanded, making community policing safer and more efficient.
Monday saw the filing of five charges against Aaron Dumas by the Marion County Prosecutor. According to police, Dumas led an officer on a high-speed pursuit on Friday night and into early Saturday morning before wrecking his vehicle and fleeing on foot.
According to court documents, authorities discovered a damaged vehicle with marijuana, opioid pills, and cash. To find Dumas, an IMPD operator sent a drone.
The probable cause affidavit states that the drone was able to find Dumas in a stream bed within minutes, allowing authorities to apprehend him.
This is only the most recent arrest made using drone technology. The IMPD’s drone program has been operational since 2018 and has quickly become a crucial resource.
“We have apprehensions throughout the week, but not every day. Several times each day, whether for the operational side, the district side, or SWAT, we deploy drones “said Sgt. Ron Shelnutt, leader of the IMPD aviation unit.
According to Shelnutt, the department has twelve drones and thirteen pilots. Using on-board cameras and thermal technologies, they may use the technology to detect suspects by locating heat variations on the ground. It enables cops to work more efficiently and swiftly while making arrests safer.
“We cannot detect thermal, or heat, with our eyes. These drones are capable of seeing that, “Shelnutt stated. “As a result, while we are providing K9 overwatch, we can identify the heat source and alert the K9 crew on the ground.”
Dumas is charged with trading in drugs and marijuana, as well as driving recklessly and resisting police authorities. Next Monday, he is set to return to court for a hearing.